India's Strategic Military Reforms

With evolving global warfare paradigms, India is reshaping its military structure to address significant challenges posed by adversaries. These involve adopting modern technologies like artificial intelligence (AI), automation, drones, and cheap precision weapons, while tackling a two-front threat scenario.

Key Areas of Reform

• Integration and Jointness
  • Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasized moving from service silos to integrated theatre commands.
  • Review of the Inter-Services Organisations (Command, Control and Discipline) Rules, 2025, to empower joint operations.
• Professional Military Education (PME)
  • Joint PME highlighted, though progress is slow relative to current needs.
• New Battle Formations
  • Units like “Rudra” and “Bhairav” combine various military components for flexible deployment.
• Amphibious and Integrated Operations
  • Declassification of Joint Doctrine for Amphibious Operations to integrate maritime, air, and land forces.

Technological Advancements and Procurement

• MQ-9B Drones enhance intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance (ISR), and precision strikes.
• Rafale-M order stabilizes carrier aviation for maritime operations.
• Akashteer AI-enabled command network integrates with the Air Force for joint command and control.

Future Steps and Recommendations

• Integrated Battle Groups with rapid deployment capabilities tailored for specific confrontations.
• Strategic Missiles like the Pralay quasi-ballistic missile strengthen land-based theatre fires.
• Carrier-Centered Maritime Posture supported by Rafale-M and a 15-year capability roadmap.
• Civil-Military Fusion crucial for embedding technology and prototyping in military education and exercises.

India aims to anchor its military power in integration and learning, establishing jointness with common data standards and interface protocols. This requires overcoming inter-service differences, adopting theatre commands, and embedding technologist-commanders into field exercises. The collaboration between military and civil sectors, including the Defence Research and Development Organisation and private industry, is essential for maintaining adaptive battlefield dynamics.